Celebrating 20 years: Heriot-Watt University Dubai's academic excellence

Heriot-Watt University was the first British university to establish a campus in Dubai, pioneering international education in the UAE since 2005. Over the last two decades it has grown into a leading institution, offering a wide range of foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.

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Vanessa Northway, Executive Director of Education and Student Life at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said: “As we proudly celebrate 20 years in the region, we remain committed to delivering globally recognised, industry-relevant education that meets the evolving needs of students and the marketplace.”

“Our portfolio spans key disciplines such as Data Science, Engineering, Construction, Accounting and Finance, Psychology, Robotics, Digital Marketing, Interior Architecture and Design, and Artificial Intelligence,” she added.

All the current undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the university have been granted Initial Programme Accreditation by the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) through the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).

Our top 10 programmes for 2025 include:

1.     Construction Project Management

2.     Real Estate

3.     Interior Architecture and Design

4.     Energy

5.     Artificial Intelligence

6.     Data Science

7.     Business Analytics and Consultancy

8.     Business Psychology

9.     International Business Management with Marketing

10.  Finance and Management

In line with our future-focused approach, we introduced these new programmes:

·      Psychology and Marketing BSc (Hons)

·      Sustainable Finance with Fintech (MSc)

·      Actuarial Data Science, BSc (Hons)

·      Applied Cyber Security (MSc)

·      Master of Architecture (MArch)

Every programme is thoughtfully designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability needed to thrive in a competitive global job market. To mark our 20-year milestone in the UAE and support students' educational aspirations, we are also offering a range of scholarships.

20th anniversary selective programme scholarship

AED 20,000 anniversary scholarship is being offered for the below programmes:

·      All undergraduate programmes at the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS)

·      Postgraduate Digital Marketing programme

·      All postgraduate programmes at the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS)

·      All postgraduate programmes at the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS).

Why choose Heriot-Watt University

World-Class Expertise: Learn from leading academics and practitioners. Benefit from our close ties with industry and immerse yourself in a research-led environment that fosters innovation. 

Join our Global Community: Heriot-Watt University is your gateway to a global network of ambitious professionals and alumni.

Advanced Curriculum: Choose from our 70+ programmes that engage with a curriculum designed to address today’s global challenges.

Our state-of-the-art 218,000sqft campus has been thoughtfully designed to enhance student experience and ensure a seamless blend of academic and social life.

“As we mark our 20th anniversary in Dubai, we proudly celebrate two decades of academic excellence, innovation, and impact in shaping future leaders across the region- a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class education, driving transformative change," said Dr Matthew Sukumaran, Chief Operating Officer at Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

"As Heriot-Watt University Dubai marks 20 years in the UAE, we at the School of Textiles and Design celebrated this milestone with the second edition of The Degree Show. This exhibition is a vibrant showcase of our students’ creativity, innovation, and dedication. The show captures the essence of our educational philosophy, nurturing critical thinking, collaboration, and purposeful solutions. It’s an inspiring experience for industry partners, prospective students, and the wider public, and a proud reflection of our ongoing mission to shape the next generation of design leaders who will influence and redefine the future of design,” said Professor Louise Valentine, Professor of Design and Head of School at the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

Students can also participate in our Go Global programme, experiencing life and learning at our campuses in the UK or Malaysia.

Guided campus tours are available Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4 pm.

For enquiries, contact our Admissions Office at +971 (0) 48 727 000

or visit www.hw.ac.uk/dubai.